Mowing-machine.



PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903.

W. N. WHITELY. MOWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mam JAN. 31, 1902.

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INVENTOR.

WITNESSES mi NORRIS FETERSPCO PNOTD-LIYNS' wnsummou. u. c

No. 735,326. PATENTED AUG. 4,1903.

- w N WHITELY MOWING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1902.

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N0 MODEL.

T N m W. N. 'WHITBL'Y. Momma MACHINE.

7 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1902.

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K) j'=. 2 a 5 1% all i -w l l l O PATENTED AUG. 4, 190a.

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WITNESSES:

its. 735,526.

Patented Au ust 4, 1903.

PAT NT OFFICE.

WILLIAM N. WHITELY, on SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

'MOWING-LMACHINE.

:SI'ECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 7 3 5,326, dated August 4, 1903. Application filed January 31 1902. Serial No. 92,022. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Beit knownthat 1, WILLIAM N. WHITELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 153 East High street, Springfield, inthe county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mowing-Machines; and I- do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and

to the letters of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in front-cut mowing-machines. ,The type of machine referred to is the'cart style that is,

gearing for operating the cutters, a finger bar located forward of the main .driving:

wheels, a pitman extending from the crankwheel to the reciprocating knife of the fingernecting-rod to the arm-bracket on the coupling-frame are not to draw or push the finger bar over the ground, but only to hold the cutters at any angle desired in relation to the ground.

The object of my invention is to provide a perfect floating finger-bar that will rise and fall independently of the main frame and tongue and to provide a simple and efiicient means for maintaining alinement between the finger-bar and the knife-pitman, so that the reciprocatingknife may'at'all times be maintained in perfect alinement with the knife-pitman and guard-fingers of the fingerbar, and to perfect other details of the machine.

In the accompanyingdraw-ings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a front-cut mowing-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same with one driving-wheel removed, the black lines showing thefinger-bar tilted for a medium-height cut,'the dotted lines showing the position of the finger-bar when tilted for high and low cut and the relative position of ling-armjand adjusting-brace.

. wheelsa ling-arm member H and the several parts to each other when the finger-bar is so tilted. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of a mowing-machine, showing my improvements on a larger scale than shown in Fig. 1, the dotted lines showing the fingerbar drawn forward in alinement with the knife-pitman by means of my invention. Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the swivel-head for the coupling-arm. Fig. 5 is a detail side ole vationof same. Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the connecting-bracket between the coup= Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of same. Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation of the adjusting-brace complete with the adjusting-nuts. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the upward-extending armbracket rigidly mounted on the coupling-arm for thetilting-lever connecting-rod. Fig. 10 is a detail side elevation of same. Fig. 11 is adetail plan view of the hinge member of the coupling-frame. Fig. 12 is a detail side e1evation of same. Fig. 13 is a detail plan view of the coupling-arm. Fig. 14 is an end view of the grassward end of same which pivot- I ally connects to the hinge. bar to communicate motion to the knife. The tiltinglever on the main frame and its con- Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.

In the said drawings, A A represent the main driving and supporting wheels. B is the main axle, supported by said driving 0 is the main frame, mounted on said axle;

D is the tongue.

E is the draw-bar.

F is the finger-bar.

G isthe inside shoe.

His the coupling-arm member of the coup= ling-frame.

I is the connecting-bracket between the coup1ing arm member H and the adjusting= brace member J of the coupling-frame.

K is the yoke-hinge member of the coup ling-frame. b

L is the swivel screwthreaded head connected to the stubbleward end ofthe couppivotally connected to the main frame.

M is the lifting-lever for lifting the fingerbar.

N is the tilting-lever for tilting the guard fingers up and down. I

a is the knife-pitman.

In my construction what I term the coupling-frame consists, essentially, of three members, one member thereof a couplingarm H which is the main support for said coupling-frame, the stubbleward end of said arm pivotally connected to the main frame, said arm extends from the'finger-bar to the main frame across the path of the machine in a line forward of the driving-wheels A; another member thereof a yoke-hinge K mounted on the grassward end of said couplingarm II and pivotally connected to and supporting the main shoe G of the finger-bar F and adapted to move with said couplingarm H rotatively to tilt the cutters b, the pivotal connection of the two being maintained in constant alinement throughout all the various movements of the main shoe G of the finger-bar F on its pivots, said yoke-hinge K adapted'to lateral oscillation on said coupling-arm H for the purpose of alinement of the finger-bar F with the knife-pitman a. The grassward end of said coupling-arm H where said yoke-hinge K is mounted on said arm may be of any form that will admit of oscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane of said yoke-hinge member K on said couplinghinge K on said coupling-arm H entirely independent of the pivotal connection to the main shoe G of the finger-bar F to maintain the alinement of the forward and rearward pivotal connection of said yokehinge K and main shoe G in the same line of the joints of the pivots throughout the lateral adjustment or alinement of the finger-bar F through the instrumentality of said yoke-hinge K and its pivotal connections with the coupling-arm H, the stubbleward end of said arm having a swivel-head L screw-threaded thereon and pivotally connected to the main frame, allowing said arm to turn in said head when the finger-bar is tilted for high or low cutting. Rigidly mounted on said coupling-arm H and encircling a portion of said swivel-head L to permit of the adjustment of said arm in said head and also to strengthen and hold the several parts firmly together through the operation of tilting the cutters is a bracket I, having a smooth or screw-threaded eye formed thereon for the reception of the stubbleward end of an adjusting-brace J, which is another member of said coupling-frame. The grassward end of said brace is pivotally connected forward of the cutters b to said yoke-hinge member K. The brace J may be adjustably connected with said coupling-arm H along the line of its length, but distant from the grassward end of said arm, and serve the purpose of alinement and holding the fingerbar in any position desired. The object and purposeof my coupling-frame construction is to pivotally connect the finger-bar F to the main frame 0, so that either end of said finger-bar F is free to rise and fall independently of the other end and to aline the fingerbar F with the knife-pitman a independent of the pivotal joints that connect the main shoe G of the finger-bar F with the yokehinge K. The stubbleward end of said brace is screw-threaded and adj ustably connected to the forward end of said bracket I and held in adjustment with said bracket I by means of the adjusting-nuts d and 6 upon its threaded end, that when it is desired to draw said finger-bar forward to aline same the finger-bar is drawn forward, and the yoke-,

hinge member K oscillates laterally on said coupling-arm H, bringing and maintaining the finger-bar in alinement with the knifepitman. Said adjustingbrace J also protects the knife-pitman from injury by contact with stumps or other obstructions. While I show the draw-bar E pivotally connecting to said yoke-hinge member K, it may be pivotally connected to either of the other mem* bers of said coupling-frame. This coupling-frame, as I designate it, rises and falls independently of the main frame at one end and is adapted to rock or roll in the line of its.length to tilt the points of the guard-fingers up and down. coupling-arm H of the coupling-frame is an upward extending arm bracket h. Said bracket is pivotally connected by a link f, extending rearward and adjustably pivotally connected, as shown, to a tilting-lever N, pivotally mounted on said main frame 0. Pivotally connected to the forward end of said yoke-hinge K in front of the inner shoe of the finger-bar is an arm '5. To the forward end of said arini an automatic self-adjusting lead-wheel j is j ournally connected, said wheel traveling in advance of the inner shoe of the finger-bar and employed to carry said fingerbar over the ground and to guide same over ridges, ditches, and other irregularities of the ground. Pivotally connected to said arm dis a connecting-link g, which extends rearward and is adjustably pivotally connected to said tilting-lever N, as shown in Fig. 2, so that when the upper end of said tilting-lever N is thrown forward the connecting-linkfis drawn backward, causing said coupling-arm H to Rigidly mounted on said roll backward, tilting the guard-fingers Z upward, and by the same movement of said tilting-lever N the connectinglink g is pushed forward, pressing said lead-wheelj firmly on the ground, and as the upper end of said tilting-lever N is drawn backward said connecting-link fis pushed forward, rolling said coupling-arm member H forward, tilting the guardfingers Z downward, and by the same move ment of the tilting-lever N the connectinglink g is drawn backward, causing said leadwheel j by the pivotal connection between said arm '5 and yoke-hinge member K to always remain on the ground regardless of the adjustment of the guard-fingers for high or low cut, so that when the guard-fingers are tilted upward the lead-wheel is pressed downward, and when the guard-fingers are tilted downward for. low cutting the lead wheel is tilted upward, and by means of its pivotal connections the lead-Wheel always followsthe ground in whatever position the guard-fingers are tilted, maintaining its same position on the ground to carry the finger-bar freely over the ground. While in my construction I have shown and-prefer to employ a lead- Wheel pivotally connected forward of the innershoe of the finger-bar and traveling in advance of the cutters, I do not confine myself to this construction, as the lead-wheel, connecting-arm supporting'said wheel, and,

the adjusting-rod for said wheel may be dispensed with. I

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a coupling-arm pivotally connected with a main ,frame, a yoke-hinge member directly and pivotally connected to said coupling-arm for oscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, a main shoe of the fingerbar pivotally connected to and supported by said yoke-hinge member, an adj usting-brace memberconnected to one end of said yoke-hinge and connecting with said conpling arm, said brace member provided with screw-threaded adjusting means for the alinement of and holding the finger-barinthe desired position.

3. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a finger-bar, a main shoe rigidly secured to said bar, a yoke-hinge member pivotally connected to and supporting said shoe, a coupling arm to which said yoke-hinge is attached, a

swivel-head screw-threaded upon oneend thereof and pivotally connected to the main frame, a bracket rigidly connected to said coupling-arm and encircling a portion of said swivel-head, an adjusting-brace, its stubbleward end connected to said bracket, its grassward end connected to said yoke-hinge member to support said finger-bar.

4:. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a coupling-arm, a yoke-hinge member directly and pivotally connected to said arm for osoillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, a main shoe of the finger-bar pivotally connected to and supported by said yoke hinge member, an adjusting-brace member, one end connected to said yokehinge member, a bracket extending from said coupling-arm and supporting the stubbleward end of said brace member, a swivelhead fitting onsaid coupling-arm and pivotally conne'cted to the main frame that said coupling-arm may turn in said swivel-head;

5. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a coupling-frame between the main frame and finger-bar and comprising a lateral oscillating yoke-hinge member the stubbleward end of said coupling-frame pivotally connected to the main frame of the machine, a shoe of the finger-bar pivotally connected to and supported .by the yoke-hinge member of said coupling-frame, a tilting-lever and connecting-rod pivotally connecting said lateral oscillating yoke-hinge member with the main frame to tilt the coupling-frame and fingerbar up and down to out high or low as may be desired. a

6. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a coupling-arm, one end pivotally connected to the main frame, a yoke-hinge member directly and pivotally connected to the other end of said coupling-arm for oscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, I

a main shoeof the finger-bar pivotally connected to and supported by said yoke-hinge member, a forward brace pivotally connected to said yoke-hinge member near its forward end, a bracket rigidly secured to said coupling-arm and adj ustably connected with the stubbleward end of said brace for the purpose of ad justably oscillating said yoke-hinge in a horizontal plane upon said coupling-arm and therewith the fingerbar into proper alinement with the knife-pitman.

7. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a

coupling-frame comprising a coupling'arm, a.

swivel-head on said arm and pivotally connected to the main frame, a yoke-hinge member pivotally connected to and supporting the main shoe of the finger-bar and pivotally connected to the grassward end of said coupling-arm for oscillating adjustment of said yoke-hinge member in a horizontal plane on said arm, a brace, one end connected to the front end of said yoke hinge member, a bracket on said coupling-arm supporting the stubbleward end of said brace and rigidly connecting it with said coupling-arm.

8. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a-

coupling-arm pivotally connecting with the main frame at its stubbleward end, a yokehinge member directly and adjustably connected to said coupling-arm for oscillation in a horizontal plane on said arm, a finger-bar shoe pivotall y connected to and supported by said yoke-hinge member forward and rearward of the cutters, a lead-wheel carryingarm pivotally connected to the forward part of said yoke-hinge member, a lead-wheel journally mounted on and supported by said carrying-arm and controlled in its movements by said arm in relation to the adjustments of said yoke-hinge member, an adj usting-lever pivotally mounted on the main frame, a link pivotally connected to said adjusting-lever and extending forward and pivotally connected'with a member of the coupling-frame, a link pivotally connected to said adj ustinglever and extending forward and pivotally connected to said lead-wheel carrying and supporting arm.

9. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a

. main shoe for the finger-bar, a lead-wheel located in front of said main shoe of the fingerbar and to the grassward side thereof, a carrying-arm for said wheel, a yoke-hinge member pivotally supporting the main shoe of the finger-bar and pivotally supporting said carrying-arm on its forward end, a coupling-arm extending across the path of the machine, its grassward end pivotally supporting said 'yokehinge member at the rear of the finger-bar for oscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, its stubbleward end pivotally connected upon the main frame of the machine, a tilting-lever pivotally mounted upon the main frame of the machine for turning the points of the guards up and down, a link pivotally connected to said lever and extending forward to a member of the couplingframe, a link pivotally connected to said tilting-lever and extending forward and pivotally connected to said carrying-arm of said lead-wheel for the purpose of adjusting said wheel in relation to the finger-bar.

10. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a finger-bar, a main shoerigidly secured to said bar, a lead-wheel in front of the main shoe of said finger-bar, a carrying-arm for said wheel, a yoke-hinge member pivotally supporting the main shoe of the finger-bar, a coupling-arm member located rearward of the knife-pitman and extending across the path of the machine and pivotally connected with the main frame, said yoke-hinge member pivotally mounted on the grassward end of said arm foroscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, a tilting-lever pivotally mounted on the main frame, a link pivotally connected to said tilting-lever and extending forward, and pivotally connected with a member of the coupling-frame, a link pivotally connected to said tilting-lever and extending forward and pivotally connected to said leadwheel carrying-arm.

11. In a mowing-machine, in combination, a finger-bar, a main shoe rigidly secured to said bar, a coupling-arm extending across the path of the machine, a yoke-hinge member mounted on the grassward end of said arm for oscillating adjustment in a horizontal plane on said arm, said yoke-hinge member pivotally connected to and pivotally supporting said inner shoe of said finger-bar forward and rearward of the cutters, an adjusting and supporting brace, its grassward end connected to the front end of said yoke-hinge member, a bracket extending from said coupling- WILLIAM N. WHITELY.

Witnesses:

I J OHN L. GILLIGAN,

ROBERT WEISKOTTEN. 

